Ariz. Gunman Subdued After 2-Hour Standoff

A man armed with a rifle held police at bay for more than two hours
Friday afternoon before he was taken into custody shortly after 5 p.m.

Before it was over, an elementary school went into lockdown and an
airport halted all traffic for a short time.

The man's father apparently called police about 2:45 p.m. and told
them his son was suicidal, Phoenix police said.

Police arrived at the home near 69th Street and Thunderbird Road and
heard a shot. They were unsure whether they had been fired on, Sgt.
Randy Force said. The man, 18, stepped outside several times with the
weapon during the standoff.

Nearby Scottsdale Airpark Municipal Airport was closed for a short
time, officials said.

Sandpiper Elementary School, 6724 E. Hearn Road, went into lock down
shortly after 3 p.m. after school had let out, said Judy Dewalt,
Paradise Valley School District spokeswoman. No one was allowed to
enter or leave the school, which is just a couple of blocks from the
standoff.

Most of the students had left Sandpiper, but there were about 45
students left in the building, mostly from the after-school program
and some who walk home from school.

The entire staff and Parent Teacher Organization was still in the
building because they were getting ready for a Silent Auction, their
annual school fund-raiser, scheduled for Friday evening. The
principal was in contact with parents and police the whole time.